The Raynfard name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in the chapelry of Rainford in the parish of Prescot in Lancashire. The surname Raynfard is a habitation name which forms a broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. In this case the surname Raynfard was originally derived from the Old English Regnaforde which refers to those individuals who lived by the ford. However, there is also evidence that the name in fact referred to Danish settlers, who came from Randers Fiord, Denmark.

Raynfard Early Origins

The surname Raynfard was first found in Lancashire where they were found since ancient times, perhaps even predating the Norman Conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy in 1066 A.D. Early records, and the church cemetery show bearers of the name in Little Crosby, Lancashire.

Raynfard Spelling Variations

Raynfard Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Raynfard has undergone many spelling variations, including Rainford, Rainsford, Raynsford, Raynsforde, Reinsford, Reinsforde, Raynesford, Rainesford, Rainesforde, Ranford, Ranforde, Randsford, Randford, Randeford and many more.

Raynfard Early History

Raynfard Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Raynfard research. Another 403 words (29 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1469, 1933, 1605, 1680, 1660, 1663, 1632, 1690, 1652, 1709, 1700 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Raynfard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Raynfard Early Notables (pre 1700)

Raynfard Early Notables (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include Sir John Raynsford of Essex; John Raynsford, an English politician, Member of Parliament (MP) for Colchester during the 16th century; and Sir Richard Rainsford SL (1605-1680), an English judge and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1660 and 1663...

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Raynfard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Raynfard In Ireland

Raynfard In Ireland

Some of the Raynfard family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Raynfard were among those contributors: Edward Rainsford and his wife, who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630; Captain Rainford, who settled in Jamaica in 1774, with his wife and three children.

Shaw, William A. Knights of England A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day of the Knights of all the Orders of Chivalry in England, Scotland, Ireland and Knights Bachelors 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print. (ISBN 080630443X).

Marcharn, Frederick George. A Constitutional History of Modern England 1485 to the Present. London: Harper and Brothers, 1960. Print.

Bardsley, C.W. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6).

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The Raynfard Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Raynfard Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.